1 September 2017 onwards

The
Vision Quest is one of the most powerful and enduring experiences which is
available to us in our contemporary society.

It is an opportunity to step
outside of all the routines of everyday life and see one’s self and one’s life
through a new set of lenses. Drawing upon the ritual and traditions of
indigenous cultures from around the world, and framed by the spiritual landscape
of Australia, the Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society [SOTEMS] takes each
participant into the wilderness to encounter the opening of a personal,
spiritual pathway, a cleansing and renewal so that each may return regenerated.

There are few opportunities like this within our contemporary society wherein we
can step out of everyday life and submit ourselves to a process which clears our
horizons. It is a peerless experience.

The Vision Quest involves:

A meditation in nature, alone, within a dreaming wheel

It occurs in a place which speaks to you and you alone

It spans three/five days and three/five nights

It requires the discipline of fasting and diminished sleep

It involves facing the east each morning as the sun crosses the horizon so
that Spirit may speak and renew you

You are given songs and meditations which enrich and focus your vigil and
search

It begins and ends with the traditional purification of the sweat lodge
ceremony

There is the opportunity to share your story and to have your personal
needs for integration of the experience met

It is overall, a ceremony of transition and renewal

For one week before the quest proper begins, you will be required to do
daily meditations. Once you are registered for the quest, the details of these
practices will be supplied to you

Throughout and beyond the vigil, you are supported by highly trained personnel from SOTEMS, the Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society.
Being a wilderness area we use satellite phones for emergency communication and
the safety of our participants which is paramount.

The Vision Quest Leader

Dr. Rafael Locke

Dr. Rafael Locke, the Ceremonial Leader of SOTEMS, who is an initiated shaman
and medicine person within Native American Traditions and who has worked with
healers and shamans in many cultures. He has been conducting Vision Quests for
over 20 years. Dr. Locke will be assisted by trained SOTEMS personnel.

The Location

The Vision Quest for April 2016 or September 2016 will be around the following dates :

1 September - 6 September 2017 (3 day)

1 September - 8 September 2017 (5 day)

18 April - 23 April 2016 (3 day)

18 April - 25 April 2016 (5 day)

(These dates represent the departure and return days from & to Alice
Springs.) :

The Vision Quest is held in wilderness areas so that there is no contact with
the circumstances of everyday life and immersion in Nature is maximised. The
Quest has been run at the Hugh River, an ancient place, the second oldest river
in the world with a history of some 3-400 million years. Participants should
arrange to travel to Alice Springs where they will be met and transported to the
Quest location. It is best to arrive the day before the Quest begins.

Care is
taken to select an area, which does not cause any distress for Aboriginal
people.

Participants should arrange to
travel to Alice Springs where they will be met and transported to the Quest
location. Further details will be made available upon registration.

Registration

For specific information or to register your interest
about the Central Australian Vision Quest